The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-11-24

his gun.
The frightened colt gave leap to
one side, and the boy was thrown.
Had his head come in contact with
the gate post? The father sprang to
raise him with dread he could not
have expressed; but the boy looked
up in his face with @ brave attempt to
smile. "Don't be frightened, faeher;
it's only broken leg. and that will
mend; my neck wouldn't" And again,
as he lifted the lad in his arms, he
whispered, '"Thank Godp And now it
was midnight; he stood upon the hill
overlooking his home; all was still;
the inmates of the house were locked
in slumber. Suddenly a bright light
flashed from one of the windows, and
in another moment he could see the
curling flames filling all the rooms.
He tried to shout, but his voice died
in his throat; his feet were rooted to
the spot; he could not move. With
unutterable horror he saw the fire
stealing from floor to roof; yet the
sleepers did not awake. His wife and
children-must he see them perish be-
fore his eyes? With a mighty effort he
broke the spell that bound him, ut
tering cry of agony, and at thesame
instant his wife's hand was laid upon
his arm. John! John! what is the
matter?"
Nothing" he answered, with a
deep sigh of relief. at was only a
dream. Thank God it was only a
dream"
After that he slept no more. The
words he had spoken three times
echoed in his heart. 'Thank God!
thank God!' Had he anything to be
thankful for?
Harriet" 1t was not the impera-
tive tone in which he sometimes spoke
when she oversight herself in the morn
ing. 1t was more like the voice of one
who years ago had never uttered her
name but in tones of tenderness. She
was awake in a moment.
"Is it time to get up?"
mo, not yet; but have something
to say to you. think made a mis-
take this morning, dear. We will
Thanksgiving, as you suggested"
"Oh, John, am SO glad!"
The unmistakable tremor in her
voice smote him to the heart.
"Because"-and now she had con-
quered the momentary emotion and
spoke lightly enough; "because Inever
was spoiled child. was taught to
take yes Or mo- for an answer, with
out teasing, and Ihave never lost the
habit"
II don't think you have. But now
make all your arrangements, and
cI oil Io Co f,,11
carried out"
If the men were susprised when
they were told there was to beno work
done on Thursday theydid not say so,
and they readily agreed to Mrs. Ak
ems conditions that they should eat
their Thanksgiving dinner and spend
the evening with her.
1t was day to belong remembered.
for from it's dawn to its close every
thing went right. Such a cloudless sky,
such q glorious sunshine. The drive
to the neighboring village was delight
full, for the large double-seated wagon
was brought out, and the whole house
hold went to church, to Join in the
service of praise and thanksgiving
there.
Wheth her it was the late hour, or the
previous drive, or whatever may have
been the cause, never was dinner
a more complete success; from
the splendid turkey to the
mince pies every thing was pro-
nounced delicious. And when evening
came merry party gathered in the
parlors. There were games and songs
in which the children took part; there
were illustrated books and magazines
to be looked over Mr.. Aiken read a
short but beautiful and touching
story; his wife played and sang un-
weariedly, and when the happy circle
at last broke up there was a pleasant
surprise for the little woman to whom
the day had been so full of content.
Jim had worked for Mr.. Aiken for
more than year, and no one had
heard him speak an unnecessary
word; he was a faithful worker, and
that was all; if he had heart he had
always kept it out of sight. But now
he came up to Mrs. Aiken and held
out his hand.
"Good night, ma'am he," said,
"and thank you very much. This is
the first Thanksgiving I've had since
came to California, and that is ten
years ago."
"That is not much to the credit oi
those you have worked for, Jim,'
said Mr.. Aiken, "and l take part oi
the blame to myself but there is one
ranch in California, where Thanksgiv.
ing is always going to be kept hereaft-
er, and wherever you are you may
come and keep it with u.s."
Mrs, Aikens's eyes were suspiciously
bright. Were they sparkling with un-
shed tears? Her husband turned to
her as they were left alone.
"Dear little wife," he said tenderly,
s'if all else were gone and you were
left to me would have cause enough
for Thanksgiving Day." And then
the tears overf1owed, but they were
tears of gladness.-Rural Press.